Crimson Coward opens Friday

Crimson Coward, a fast-casual restaurant featuring Nashville hot chicken, is expected to have a soft opening in Annandale on Black Friday, Nov. 29.

The restaurant, located at 7004 Columbia Pike, features “the Crimson,” a boneless chicken breast with Crimson sauce, slaw, and pickles in a brioche bun.

Crimson Coward also offers the Crimson Onion, a battered and fried onion opened like a flower; a cheeseburger; chicken tenders; fries; chicken sandwiches; chicken and waffles; fried pickles; and waffles. Customers can choose a level of spiciness from no heat to “burrrn, baby burn.”

The chicken is fresh – not frozen – and hormone free, says franchise owner and longtime Annandale resident Maasum Anowar. He also owns eight Subway franchises in Woodbridge and Maryland.

Anowar says he’s excited to open a place in Annandale, which he sees as having a growing nightlife. He hired more than 30 employees.

There are 12 Crimson Coward locations in six states with four more on the way, including Springfield and National Harbor.